Anserine for Muscle Recovery? What a Deer Study Shows

Key Findings

The study demonstrated that anserine supplementation significantly reduced exercise-induced muscle fatigue and oxidative stress markers in Chinese forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii). Key outcomes included a 28.7% decrease in serum creatine kinase (CK) levels (p<0.001) and a 22.3% reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (p=0.002) compared to controls. Researchers concluded anserine enhances muscle recovery through antioxidant mechanisms, though findings are specific to this endangered cervid species.

Study Design

This was a 28-day randomized controlled trial using 40 captive Chinese forest musk deer (20 males, 20 females; aged 2–4 years). Animals were divided into control (n=20) and anserine-supplemented (n=20) groups. The intervention group received daily oral anserine dissolved in water, while controls received placebo. Muscle fatigue was induced via standardized treadmill exercise (15° incline, 5 km/h) three times weekly. Primary endpoints were serum CK, MDA, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, measured at baseline and post-intervention.

Dosage & Administration

The supplemented group received 50 mg/kg body weight of pure anserine (≥98% purity) dissolved in 100 mL water, administered via oral gavage once daily. Dosing was adjusted weekly based on measured body weights (mean: 12.3±1.7 kg). Placebo consisted of distilled water only. Compliance was verified through direct observation, with 100% adherence reported.

Results & Efficacy

Anserine significantly lowered post-exercise CK levels (mean 184.3±22.1 U/L vs. control 257.6±31.8 U/L; Δ=–73.3 U/L, 95% CI [–85.1, –61.5], p<0.001) and MDA (mean 3.8±0.4 nmol/mL vs. 4.9±0.6 nmol/mL; Δ=–1.1 nmol/mL, 95% CI [–1.4, –0.8], p=0.002). SOD activity increased by 18.9% (p=0.007). Effect sizes were large for CK (Cohen’s d=1.82) and MDA (d=1.47). No significant changes occurred in body weight or clinical health markers.

Limitations

Major limitations include: (1) exclusive focus on a single endangered species with no human or livestock applicability; (2) small sample size (n=20/group) limiting statistical power for subgroup analyses; (3) absence of dose-response assessment; (4) potential confounding from captive environmental factors; and (5) short duration preventing evaluation of long-term effects. The study did not measure functional recovery metrics (e.g., exercise capacity restoration), and antioxidant effects may not translate to non-cervid species.

Clinical Relevance

These findings have no direct implications for human supplement users, as results are specific to Chinese forest musk deer physiology. While anserine’s antioxidant mechanism aligns with prior rodent/human research on carnosine (a related dipeptide), this study provides no evidence for human efficacy. Consumers should not extrapolate these results to human muscle recovery supplements. Future research should prioritize human trials with standardized exercise protocols before clinical recommendations can be made. The study primarily advances wildlife conservation science rather than human nutrition.